Djibouti: Transfer vehicles are used for US military in Afghanistan

Djibouti (HAN) January 21, 2015 – Public diplomacy and Regional Security and safety news. Africom Regional News Update: Transfer vehicles to Somalia are used for US military missions in Afghanistan.

The US military (CJTF-HOA) is set to transfer 20 repurposed, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) to the African Union mission in Somalia.

The deliveries from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), which will take place over the next two months, will help the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) neutralise violent extremist organisations in the country.

Donated under the excess defence articles programme, the vehicles have been used for US military missions in Afghanistan and extensively refurbished by ManTech field service representatives (FSRs) under a contract with the US Marine Corps Systems Command International Programs Office.

CJTF-HOA commander major general Wayne Grigsby said: “These vehicles will provide better security and movement to the troop’s contributing countries to complete their mission more effectively.”

The MRAPs will eventually replace the 20 Casspir landmine-protected infantry mobility vehicles currently used by Uganda and Burundi.

DuBose added that the MRAP refurbishment was a complex process, with several repairs through a controlled substitution plan.

As part of the vehicles donation agreement, the Uganda and Burundi elements of the AMISOM are receiving drivers and maintenance training from ManTech FSRs.

ManTech will continue to maintain the vehicles for a year, which will ensure necessary repairs are completed and extend the service life of the vehicles.

AMISOM is an active, regional peacekeeping mission focused on supporting transitional governmental structures and a national security plan.

In addition, it includes training for Somali security forces and assistance in creating a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid in the country.

The mission also supports Somali forces in their fight against Al-Shabaab militants. Sources: military.com and CJTF-HOA, Djibouti

Photo: The Oshkosh MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV)

The Geeska Afrika Online is Free government-funded. HAN (Horn of Africa newsline) shapes its editorial policy free from political and commercial influence.

Geeska Afrika Online (1985 -2015) – The International Gateway news and views about the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda), the best IGAD news and information Online Site for the last 30 Years.

– HAN & Geeska Afrika Online (1985-2015), the oldest free independent Free Press in the region, brings together top journalists from across the Horn of Africa. Including Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Djibouti, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Oromo, Amhara, Somali, Afar and Harari. Plus, we have daily translations from 150 major news organizations in the Middle East and East African regions. Contact at news@geeskaafrika.com

Geeska Afrika (1985-2017) is the oldest independent free press in the region. Geeska Afrika original reporting by our award-winning journalists. We also distribute news and information items daily from over 200 African news organizations. Contact at HAN@Geeskaafrika.com